Assistant Head Nurse

At RGH we are committed to providing high quality, compassionate and patient/family centered care. We’re a multidisciplinary team committed to maintaining a positive work culture, high work ethic, and continued learning/engagement in what is happening locally and within Recovery Alberta. RGH has many unique features that benefit mental health including an outdoor courtyard, gym access for patients, and beautiful walking paths. As a Registered Nurse/Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RN/RPN) in the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES), you will provide holistic assessments within a recovery model framework for patients in psychiatric or psychosocial crisis presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team in the ED to assess the patient, determine the level of illness and risk to self or others, and make recommendations to Emergency Physicians and Psychiatrists regarding the plan of care for the patient. As a PES Nurse, you will collaborate with services and organize referrals to community services or admission to inpatient units based on client need. You will assess and develop an effective plan using the Addiction and Mental Health continuum to identify appropriate services for clients and arrange care. You will provide brief interventions to clients and will identify, initiate, and modify interventions based on changing needs of patients as appropriate to the RN/RPN legislated scope of practice. As a PES Nurse, you will act as a resource to ED staff regarding assessment and care of patients with mental health conditions. You will provide an enhanced model of care to Mental Health patients in the ED. The population includes adolescents, families, and adults. RPNs welcome to apply.

As an Assistant Head Nurse, you will be responsible for staff assignments, patient flow and acting as a role model, clinical resource and advocate for nursing staff. In addition to providing frontline nursing care, as required, you will take a leadership role in the promotion of quality patient care and the implementation of operational priorities. Your in-depth knowledge and skills, advanced judgment and clinical experience, will assist in providing solutions for complex health care issues at all levels with patients, interprofessional teams, administrators and policy makers. You will play a key role in providing safe, quality patient and family centered care while reflecting the shared vision and values of AHS.

Completion of an accredited nursing education program. Active or eligible for registration and practice permit with the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA). Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP).

At least 5 years within the last 5 years of Psychiatric Emergency Services experience required. At least 2 years Charge nurse experience required. Strong ability to create complex care plans. Strong leadership skills and ability to navigate conflict. Demonstrates initiative, reliability, and flexibility. Able to adapt to change effectively. Strong demonstrated ability to integrated Recovery Alberta values and competencies. Ability to promptly, respectfully, resolve conflict in keeping with AHS Policies, Values and code of conduct. Advanced knowledge and expert understanding of DSM-V, symptomatology and treatment modalities/interventions, Alberta Mental Health Act, and other governing standards/ legislation for practice required. Demonstrated ability in Acute Mental Health Crisis Management. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (NVCI) certification required or must be obtained after employment. Strong critical thinking, assessment, strong knowledgebase in mental health and intervention skills required. Demonstrated ability to maintain collaborative working relationship with patients, families and team members. Demonstrated interpersonal, communication skills and a demonstrated patient and family centered approach required. Computer proficiency required. Demonstrated motivation to learn and participate in professional development and educational programs. Group facilitation and co-facilitation is a strong asset.

Experience in mental health urgent services and child and adolescents’ mental health preferred. Certification in NVCI preferred. Nursing experience in an acute care setting is preferred. Knowledge of the Addiction and Mental Health related resources across the Calgary Zone preferred. Experience providing educational support to adult learners an asset. Ability to be trauma informed in approach. Training in trauma informed practice. Ability to integrate harm reduction approach.